Asian stock markets closed higher Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly two percent to finish at 8,774.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared nearly two and one-half percent to finish the day's trading at 18,142.

Share prices were also higher in Manila, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.70 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Monday.